Short answer: the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 if sound quality matters most, the W-King D20 if price matters most. The JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 ranks #5 of 73 boombox speakers at $239. The W-King D20 ranks #27 at $193, $46 cheaper.
What the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 offers: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. A little less rolled off in the highs than the first Encore. Goes slightly deeper than the old Encore. Better battery life than the first Encore. Watch for: Missing a little bit of upper bass. No wireless Microphones like the non-Essential
What the W-King D20 offers: Comes with 2 wireless microphones Watch for: Rising frequency response but upper treble rolled off, 700hz and 1.2khz peaks
Buy the JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the W-King D20 if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 | W-King D20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.00 | $193 |
| Ranked | #5 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #27 of 73 in Boombox Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) | Yes (W-King app) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Built in Microphone | No | No |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) | Yes (App + button modes) |
| Guitar Input | Yes | - |
| IP Rating | IPX4 | IPX6 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) | No |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) | Yes |
| Power Input | AC Power cord | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg | 14.3 lbs / 6500 g |
| Wireless Microphones | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Output Power | 100W RMS | 200W |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 13.5" x 10.3" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) | 19.9" x 8.5" x 10.6" (506 x 217 x 270 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters | 4.5" + 3.5" drivers + 1.2" tweeters |
| Max Volume | 110dB | 112dB |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | ~42Hz |
| MicroSD Playback | - | Yes |
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- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Soundcore Rave Party 2
Prices on this page were last checked August 27, 2026 at 10:09 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2: $239.00 Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: Appears to have better off axis performance due to the move to dome tweeters over cone. A little less rolled off in the highs than the first Encore. Goes slightly deeper than the old Encore. Better battery life than the first Encore.
Cons: Missing a little bit of upper bass. No wireless Microphones like the non-Essential
Full JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (JBL PartyBox app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 12.6" x 13.5" x 10.3" (319.5 x 342 x 260.4 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 135mm (5.25") woofer + 2x 20mm (0.75") dome tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (7 band App EQ) |
| Guitar Input | Yes |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Max Volume | 110dB |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W RMS |
| Party Mode | Yes (Auracast) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | AC Power cord |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 13.7 lbs / 6.2 kg |
| Wireless Microphones | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore 2
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs JBL Partybox Encore Essential
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Go + Play 3
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Earfun Uboom X
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 8
- JBL Partybox Encore Essential 2 vs Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 6
- See all 46 comparisons
W-King D20: $193 Aliexpress eBay
Pros: Comes with 2 wireless microphones
Cons: Rising frequency response but upper treble rolled off, 700hz and 1.2khz peaks
Full W-King D20 review and specifications →
| App | Yes (W-King app) |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | ~42Hz |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 19.9" x 8.5" x 10.6" (506 x 217 x 270 mm) |
| Drivers | 4.5" + 3.5" drivers + 1.2" tweeters |
| EQ | Yes (App + button modes) |
| IP Rating | IPX6 |
| Max Volume | 112dB |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 200W |
| Party Mode | No |
| Power Bank | Yes |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| USB Playback | Yes |
| Weight | 14.3 lbs / 6500 g |
| Wireless Microphones | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Boom 2 Plus Review - worst boombox speaker under $400? More from alanrossreviews →
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- Jagist reviews: LG xboom Stage 301 Vs W-king X20!!! More from Jagistreviews →
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- Mateusz Cholewa: Soundcore RAVE 3 🤗v🆚s W- KING X20🎶 More from Mateusz Cholewa →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: New! W-King X20 vs JBL Boombox 3 🛜 Head to Head 🔋Battery Powered 📊Custom EQ - Links In Description More from JaysStraightUpReviews →
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: W-King X20 vs Tribit Stormbox Blast 🍿 Garage Battle of Boombox Speakers 🍻Custom & Standard EQ’s
- Reddit Search for W-King D20 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons